From BlackFive:

"Can you handle the truth?...The Blog of War (Simon & Schuster) is loaded with firsthand reports from the Internet diaries of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Grab it before the Pentagon orders it burned..." - Vanity Fair, September 2006

"...nonpartisan patriotism is the common thread tying together these reflections, love letters and stories of combat. They make for riveting reading."- Michael Hirsh, The Washington Post, September 3, 2006

"Exciting, entertaining...and insightful; this book breaks new ground and allows us to get a better understanding of what is happening and has happened in our current war...The book is destined to set a trend for other blogger books as this one certainly leads the way with an excellent telling of our experiences in this current war. This will be a hard act to follow for the others! The Military Writer’s Society of America (MWSA) gives this book its highest rating of FIVE STARS." - Bill McDonald, President, MWSA

It's been a year in the making. And because of all of you readers and supporters, it's become a reality. Finally!...

Go find out the rest of the details



And what better prize for this month's "Where Am I" contest? Be sure to check back for your chance to win a copy of the book.

Pacific Ocean (Sept. 1, 2006) - Hull Technician 3rd Class Marc Brandes wears an Advanced Chemical Protective Garment (ACPG) while leading an external survey team around the weather decks of Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70). The crew of the Hopper was conducting a Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) drill, part of standard shipboard training held frequently while deployed at sea. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John L. Beeman

I'm travelling this week (watch for a "Where Am I" post tomorrow). My flight from home was delayed, and then my flight from Philly was delayed....and delayed again...and delayed again...and delayed again...eventually, it was apparent that driving to where I was going was going to be quicker than flying. Before I went to pick up my car, I went outside to smoke. Frustrated and tired, I needed to take a bit of a breather.

That's when I saw the Soldier, sitting on a bench nearby. I went over to say hello. He was coming home for a month before heading back to the Sandbox. He noticed my ever-present 1st Cav baseball cap, and I told him I wore it in tribute to my first Soldiers' Angels adoptee, a 1st Cav Scout. I explained the t-shirt I wore, my Soldiers' Angels shirt. I told him we'd be more than happy to spoil him when he went back.

He told me he had been approached by a lady in the airport, who had given him $10 and thanked him. He said he still didn't know what to do when people said thanks. He said, the way Heroes often do, that he wasn't a Hero - the ones that didn't come home were the Heroes. I told him that he was indeed a hero - and he was doing so much just by being there - so that I didn't have to. I told him that I got to stay home, safe, because he was out there. I said there were so many people in this country who would never be willing to do anything for the freedoms they enjoy. He said, "Well, at least you're doing something."

We talked about Ramadi, and how, once home, he still reacted when he heard loud noises. We talked about the waiting around that is a part of a Soldier's life. We talked about how Heroes blow off steam. We talked about Haji cigarettes and videos, and how he was going back to Baghdad this time, where at least there was something to do during downtime. We talked about REMFs, and how people who aren't there can't understand the reality of war. I told him that though I would love to have our Heroes home right now, I believed that what they were doing in Iraq was important. He nodded.

I gave him information on Soldiers' Angels, my email, and the address of this blog. I hope he stops by. When I reluctantly bid him good-bye, I shook his hand and told him to stay safe.

Sometimes, going through heck in an airport isn't so bad after all. Thanks to a Hero who made me grateful for airport delays.

STANDING GUARD — U.S. Army Staff Sgt. David A. Hershberger, assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, stands guard on top of an infantry carrier vehicle outside a mosque in the Ad Hamyah district of Baghdad, Sept. 2, 2006, so Iraqi army soldiers from the 9th Iraqi Army can search it for ammunition caches. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Eli J. Medellin

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Fleeing violence, Iraq's Arabs flock to Kurdistan
Baghdad bomb kills eight
Iraq extends state of emergency
Three U.S. Troops Killed in Anbar

Operation Enduring Freedom
Three U.S. Troops Killed in Anbar

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Bush Vows No Retreat in War on Terror
Bush to unveil proposal on Guantanamo detainees - Video
Lung problems rife among WTC responders

Other Military News
U.S. military staff missing in Kyrgyzstan

Mid-East Ceasefire
Palestinian killed in Gaza air strike: witnesses
Turkey pledges peacekeepers for Lebanon

NSA / CIA
Rights group asks judge to stop wiretap program

Worldwide Wackos
Castro says well enough to meet dignitaries - Video
U.S., China mull warning N.Korea against nuclear test

Politics / Government
Katherine Harris Wins Fla. GOP Senate Nomination
Bush, Big Three Automakers to Meet After Elections
Bush: We Are a Nation at War - Video

In the Courts
Flashlight body search violated rights
Iowa court elects female chief justice

Mother Nature
Tropical Storm Florence strengthens in Atlantic
Smoke slows air attack on wildfire

Media in the Media
Couric debuts on evening news - Video

News from My Neck of the Woods
Cops: Cook Admits Killing Spree
Man charged in shocking murders
Search for N.Y. convict prompts caution
4 slain in Maine were shot, dismembered

Oddities
Son killed in head-on crash with dad

Other News of Note
Should the Tape Air? (Steve Irwin)
"Croc hunter" was powerful voice for conservation
2004 Memo: Staffing Issues 'Can Cost Lives' (Kentucky plane crash)
Tests Show Big Oil Discovery in Gulf of Mexico
Gas Hits 5-Month Low
Calderon wins Mexican presidency
UK's Blair to resign next July: report - Video

Fox News
Japan's Princess Kiko Gives Birth to Male Heir
Teachers Strike Shut Down Detroit Schools
Bill Ford Replaced By Alan Mulally as Ford CEO
Stocks to Watch: Intel
Intel Announces Elimination of 10,500 Jobs
Reporters, Feds Reach Deal in Bonds Probe

Reuters: Top News
China's Wen buys time on economy, democracy
Video: Growth slowdown to 10% would be 'ideal'
Four Australians get death over drugs case
China lead smelter poisons 2,000
NASA braces for space shuttle launch from Florida
Apple may launch movie downloads: analysts
CBS teams up with TiVo
Fearful Burundians tread carefully
FDA OKs artificial heart implants for seriously ill
NYC children struggle with hunger, obesity: report
Tom Cruise baby, Suri, makes long-awaited debut
Stocks rise after Chevron drills new oil - Video
Ford shares rise, Intel slips
TiVo stock down
Atari gets new CEO, stock rises
FDA staff question benefits of Genta drug
Newsmaker: Viacom's Freston resigns
"We will primarily invest internally and develop new businesses and new ideas." (Philippe Dauman, New Viacom CEO)
Transcript of interview with Dauman - Comment & Analysis
Playing retail REITs
Future of No.2 Ford exec less clear
Google News adds newspaper archives
Vivendi near deal to buy BMG: source
Freston's wild career takes another surprise turn
BAE to sell 20 pct stake in Airbus: paper

AP World News
Boeing exec Allan Mulally named Ford CEO
Jankovic makes first Grand Slam semi
Judge OKs Delta's plan to end pensions
Mass slaying trial in Florida begins
Separated twin needs another surgery
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra CEO named
34 hurt in bus rollover in Massachusetts

Military.com
Pentagon to Spend More on ISR Aircraft
Russia Cancels Exercises with U.S.
A Raptor for U.S. Allies

CENTCOM: News Releases
AFGHAN NATIONAL SECURITY COORDINATION SYSTEM BEING IMPLEMENTED

IRAQI GROUND FORCES COMMAND ASSUMES COMMAND AND CONTROL OF 8TH IRAQI ARMY DIVISION

MNF-I TRANSFERS ABU GHRAIB TO GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ

PORTABLE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTED IN PAKTYA

MARINES RECEIVE GUNFIRE FROM HOSPITAL

IRAQI AND US SECURTY FORCES CAPTURE 30 INSURGENTS, 38 SUSPECTED INSURGENTS, OVER WEEKEND OPS IN WESTERN AL ANBAR PROVINCE

USS ENTERPRISE AIRCRAFT DESTROY TALIBAN TARGETS IN AFGHANISTAN

FIVE TERRORIST KILLED DURING RAID AND AIR STRIKE IN MUQDADIYAH

MNC-I STATEMENT ON MAHMUDIYAH INVESTIGATION

IA TAKES LEAD SECURITY ROLE IN TAL AFAR

Department of Defense
NEWS UPDATES
Joint Forces Locate Weapons - Story
For Top News Visit DefenseLink

ON THE GROUND
Residents Find Relief, Security as Ops Expand - Story
Coalition Forces Deliver Cement to Afghan Village - Story
Reconstruction Team Donates Prayer Rugs - Story
Iraqi Troops Learn to Detect Explosives - Story

IN IRAQ
Iraqis Assume Responsibility for Prison
Iraqi Army Battalions Take Security Lead
New Brigade Takes Control of Air Operations
Young Iraqi Girl Needs Life Saving Surgery
Iraqi, U.S. Forces Provide Medical Aid
Dustoff Crews Bring Mercy From Above
45th Sustainment Brigade Assumes Command
101st Airborne Soldiers Free Kidnap Victims

BACKGROUND
IRAQ
Renewal In Iraq
Iraq: Security, Stability
Fact Sheet: Progress and Work Ahead
Report: Strategy for Victory in Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
This Week in Iraq
Multinational Force Iraq
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (PDF)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Weekly Reconstruction Report (PDF)
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Fact Sheet: Budget Request
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify Army Casualties - Story

Weather
Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut
An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Gitmo

Today in History
1620 - Pilgrims set sail from Plymouth, England, headed for the New World.
1628 - Puritans land at Salem, from Mass Bay Colony.
1862 - Confederate General Stonewall Jackson and his troops occupy Fredrick, Maryland.
1863 - Confederates evacuate Fort Wagner, SC, after a 59-day siege.
1869 - The first westbound train arrives in San Francisco; A mine fire kills 179 at Avondale, PA.
1876 - The Southern Pacific line (LA to SF) is completed.
1899 - Carnation processes its first can of evaporated milk.
1909 - Word is finally received that Admiral Peary discovered the North Pole 5 months earlier.
1914 - Germans prevented from occupying Paris in the Battle of the Marne.
1941 - All Jews over the age of 6 in German territories are ordered to wear a star; Jews are confined to a ghetto in Vilna, Poland.
1948 - Juliana becomes queen of the Netherlands
1966 - "Star Trek" premiers on NBC TV
1968 - Swaziland gains independence from Britain.
1976 - A Russian pilot defects to Japan in a Mig-25 jet.
1978 - Israel's Begin and Egypt's Sadat meet at Camp David to discuss peace.
1982 - Polish dissidents seize the Polish Embassy in Bern, Switzerland.
1983 - The U.S.S.R. admits to shooting down a KAL jetliner on 9/2.
1984 - The "Today" Show begins live remote telecasts from Moscow.
1986 - The U.S.S.R. charges news correspondent Nicholas Daniloff with spying.
1988 - The U.S.S.R.'s crippled Soyuz TM-5 lands safely with two cosmonauts aboard.
1991 - The U.S.S.R. recognizes the independence of the 3 Baltic republics.

Birthdays
1711 - Heinrich Melchior Muhlenberg, founder of U.S. Lutheran church
1757 - Marquis de Lafayette, American patriot, French revolutionary
1766 - John Dalton, chemist, developed atomic theory of matter
1811 - James Melville Gilliss, founder of Naval Observatory in Washington
1814 - Sir George Cartier, Canadian co-PM (1858-62)
1817 - Sir Alexander Tilloch Galt, Canadian founding father
1860 - Jane Addams, American pacifist/social worker/feminist, Nobel Prize winner (1931)
1883 - Lord Birkett, judge (Nuremburg Trials)
1888 - Joseph P. Kennedy financier/diplomat, father of JFK, RFK, Teddy
1915 - Franz Josef Strauss, German Minister of Defense (1956-62)
1946 - Bryan D O'Connor, Colonel USMC / astronaut (STS 61B, STS 40)
1947 - Jane Curtin, actress (SNL)
1961 - Peggy MacIntaggart, Playboy playmate (January, 1990)

Passings
1701 - King James II of England (1685-88)
1901 - President William McKinley, assassinated by Leon Czologosz
1966 - Dr. Verwoerd, South African PM, assassinated in assembly

Reported Missing in Action
1966
Bundy, Norman L., USN (FL); RF8G crashed, Killed, body not recovered

1968
Coskey, Kenneth L., USN (MI); A6A shot down (pilot), released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Captain - alive as of 1998

Deichelmann, Samuel M., USAF (AL); O1F disappeared en route from Vietnam to Laos.

1972
Lindland, Donald F., USAF (OR); A6A shot down (pilot, w/Lerseth), remains returned June, 1983

Lerseth, Roger G., USAF (WA); A6A shot down (B/N, w/Lindland), released by DRV February, 1973 (injured) - retired from USN as a Commander - alive and well as of 1998